At me or the painting?
Did I say that out loud?
‘At the painting.’ A dimple indents his left cheek, peeking out through his stubble. Swoon.
‘Sure.’ I step out of the way. At the same time, he takes another step forwards and his hand grazes the side of my waist. Goosebumps open fire across my skin.
‘I’ll leave you to look for a minute while I get changed.’ Those twinkling eyes roam over my flesh again. ‘Showered. Dressed, I mean.’
‘Need a hand?’ His gaze lingers on my breasts for a beat before returning to connect with my hand again.
‘No. Thank you.’ My nipples stiffen in a painfully visceral reaction. And it’s not because he’s a movie star. It’s because he’s the god-like creature who provided more orgasms in one night than I’ve had all year. And his mere presence is sending me over the edge.
I swallow thickly. ‘It’s wet, so probably better if you don’t touch it.’
Thick, dark eyebrows raise as his black pupils dance with wicked delight.
‘The painting I mean!’ Oh. My. God.
I stalk out of the room before I can embarrass myself any further.
ChapterFifteen
HOLLY
I shower, then dress in an ivory, off-the-shoulder jumper and dark fitted jeans. When I return to the open plan living area, Nate is still examining my work.
‘You’re good,’ he says, without taking his gaze from the painting. It’s not the most original compliment I’ve received, but from his mouth, it feels like winning an Oscar. Or so I imagine, anyway.
‘Thanks. I never had the time before.’
‘Why is that again? Remind me.’ His thumb roams over the stubble dotting his jaw and my thighs clench together, barely recovered from the rash said stubble inflicted there only a few short days ago.
‘If you really don’t know, you must be the only person in the world who doesn’t.’ I cross the room to stand at his side and examine the painting.
The rocks could do with a more metallic finish. Something sparkly to make them pop. ‘It still needs a lot of work,’ I say, more to myself than to Nate.
‘Don’t we all.’ His broad frame towers above me. I should have put on a pair of heels instead of flat boots. I feel positively pint-sized next to him.
‘You look amazing, by the way. Though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t prefer your earlier outfit.’ He wets his lower lip and my stomach flips.
‘I thought this was more appropriate.’ I smooth my palm over my jumper.
‘Appropriate for what exactly?’ His elbow playfully nudges my ribs.
‘You tell me. I can’t for the life of me work out what a man like you is doing visiting a woman like me.’ Thankfully, my words don’t sound as insecure as I feel.
‘A woman like you…?’ He makes a show of musing. ‘You mean a woman who is drop-dead gorgeous, mysterious as hell, and dynamite in bed?’
My scoff catches in my throat.
‘I haven’t been able to get you out of my head since the other night. I thought I’d never see you again. When you turned up on set earlier, it was like Christmas came early.’ That low, deep voice is so convincing, I almost believe him.
‘Is that why you crept out of bed at the crack of dawn the other morning before disappearing with the wind?’ My right eyebrow arches of its own accord.
‘I got cabin fever. I went to get coffee. You were in a deeper slumber than Sleeping Beauty herself. Then when I came back, your car was gone, the house was locked, and I had no idea of your last name, address or anything about you.’
I swallow, the saliva thickening my throat.
